Florida Republicans Clash Over Candidate

Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium with Chi Onwurah standing behind him — Photo: Hunter Crenian / Shutterstock

Florida’s governor just told his own party that a man facing child sex abuse charges should not get its endorsement, even as the local GOP kept him in its voter guide.

Quick Take

State GOP chair Evan Power says the party pulled support for Mike Caruso the moment he was arrested.
Caruso faces felony charges, including kidnapping and child molestation, involving a young relative.
Governor Ron DeSantis said “some things are bigger than party” after the county GOP listed Caruso in its voter guide.
The Palm Beach County GOP chair says the party has a “duty” to back Caruso as its only elected Republican constitutional officer.
Caruso denies the charges and says he plans to win re-election as Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller in November.

Governor Breaks With Local Party Over Endorsement

Governor Ron DeSantis publicly broke with the Palm Beach County Republican Party this week after it kept suspended Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Mike Caruso in its official voter guide. “We serve our party best by putting our citizens, state and country first,” DeSantis said, adding, “Disappointing to see this endorsement. Some things are bigger than party”.

Florida GOP Chair Evan Power went further, saying the state party cut ties the moment Caruso was arrested. “The Florida GOP does not support Mike Caruso,” Power said. “We pulled our support the moment he was arrested, and asked the local party to pick a replacement, which they did. Mike refused to withdraw”.

Felony Charges Center on Young Relative

Caruso faces pending felony charges that include kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse causing mental injury. Reports describe the alleged victim as a young male relative. He was arrested in August and later released on bond with strict conditions attached to his release.

The Palm Beach County Republican Party initially listed Caruso in a voter guide shared on Instagram, then posted an “UPDATED” version that removed his name. The party later said the original guide listed every Republican nominee because Florida law required it, and that Caruso was dropped “as soon as we were permitted to remove the nominee running for a constitutional office”.

County Chair Defends Continued Backing

Palm Beach County GOP Chair Carl Cascio has pushed back on the state party’s position. He said the committee “has the power and duty” to campaign for Caruso because he is the county’s only Republican constitutional officer on the ballot. Cascio also said the state party had told local Republicans it would withdraw support only if Caruso stayed in the race.

Caruso has not stepped aside. Through a spokesperson, he said he “maintains his innocence” and remains a candidate, telling supporters, “My name is on the November ballot, and I intend to win this election”. His defense team has separately said he intends to “vigorously defend himself against these charges”.

A Familiar Pattern Across Both Parties

This split is not unique to Republicans. Earlier this year, Democratic leaders pressed Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner to drop out after a rape allegation surfaced, and endorsers including Senator Bernie Sanders pulled their support within days. San Francisco Democrats later apologized for endorsing a city candidate accused of sexual assault, after public pressure built against the party.

Analysts who track these fights say party reversals usually hinge less on proven facts than on managing political risk once a controversy goes public. For voters in both parties already skeptical of how officials police their own, the Caruso dispute adds another example of local and state leaders disagreeing publicly over when loyalty to a candidate should end.

The Michael Caruso case should be enough to raise serious questions about vetting, accountability, and leadership inside the Florida GOP.
A former Republican legislator appointed by Gov. DeSantis is facing multiple felony charges involving alleged child sexual abuse, yet he… https://t.co/k3ksFJzS6n

— The Speaker 🇺🇲 (@JGlasseir) October 5, 2026